New York Islanders vs Buffalo Sabres Picks and Predictions November 30th 2024

New York Islanders vs Buffalo Sabres November 30th 2024

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Sabres and Islanders. The game is starting at 7:30 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Islanders at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under for this Eastern conference contest is set at 5.5 goals, with the Islanders being favored by -1.5 goals at home against the Sabres.

Buffalo vs. New York Key Information

• Teams: Sabres at Islanders
• Where: UBS Arena Elmont
• Date: Saturday, November 30th
• Betting Odds NYI -133 | BUF +112 O/U 5.5

The Sabres Can Win If…

With a 2-1 loss to the Red Wings, the Sabres now sit at 11-10-2 for the season. Buffalo took the lead in the first period, but Detroit responded with two goals in the second. The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for just 3, keeping it well under.

Buffalo was the underdog on the puck line, and their only goal came from Alex Tuch, who scored at 11:39 in the first period. The Sabres failed to score again, allowing Detroit to tie it up at 7:49 in the second period before the Red Wings added the game-winner later in the same period.

Buffalo’s offense managed just one goal in their 2-1 loss to Detroit, with Alex Tuch scoring his 5th of the season on a shorthanded effort. The Sabres fired 32 shots on goal but came up empty on the power play.

Buffalo had 13 giveaways and didn’t register any assists. Tuch led the team with 5 shots on goal, and the Sabres scored their lone goal at 8:21 in the first period.

Buffalo’s defense gave up two goals in their previous game, both coming on the power play in the second period. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, while the Sabres’ defense added 5 takeaways and 17 hits.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Sabres have gone 1-2 straight up. This also includes going 3-0 ATS, and posting an over-under record of 1-1-1.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Sabres have gone 6-4 straight up. Their record vs the puck line sits at 5-5 in these matchups, while posting a 5-4-1 over-under mark.

The Islanders Can Win If…

With a 5-2 loss to the Rangers, the Islanders now sit at 8-10-6 for the season. The total for the game was set at 6 goals, but the combined 7 goals pushed it over. The Islanders were underdogs on the puck line, and failed to cover.

After falling behind 2-0, the Islanders cut the deficit to 2-1 with a goal from Casey Cizikas. They pulled within one again late in the second period, but the Rangers responded with two more goals to put the game out of reach.

In their 5-2 loss to the Rangers, the Islanders took 37 shots on goal but only found the net twice. Casey Cizikas scored his first goal of the season, while Brock Nelson added his fifth, with Nelson’s goal coming just 8 seconds before the end of the second period.

The Islanders recorded 23 giveaways and were shut out in the first period before Cizikas got them on the board at the 15:22 mark of the second period. Pierre Engvall picked up his first assist of the season on Cizikas’ goal.

Defensively, the Islanders gave up the first goal just 3:44 into the game and allowed two more in the 3rd period, including an empty-netter, leading to a 5-2 loss. Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves with an 89.7% save percentage, while the defense recorded 12 takeaways and 17 hits.

• Across New York’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 0-3. Against the spread, New York went 1-2 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 3-0.
• New York has put together a record of 2-8 in their last ten games (regular season). In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 7-3 and an over-under mark of 6-4.

The Lean

If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Sabres to take down the Islanders on the road. With the moneyline currently at +112, I’m placing my bet on the Sabres straight-up.

Our projections have the Sabres pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Sabres, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

NHL Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Hockey Handicappers

Sabres Look to Build Momentum, Islanders Aim to Break Late-Game Curse in Crucial Matchup

The Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders, two teams navigating vastly different narratives, are set to clash on Saturday night in Elmont, N.Y. While the Sabres are riding a wave of determination in their quest to secure a playoff spot, the Islanders are grappling with third-period struggles that threaten to derail their season.

Sabres’ Resilience: A Recipe for Success

The Buffalo Sabres have quietly emerged as a team with playoff aspirations, bolstered by a strong 7-3-1 record over their past 11 games. Friday’s overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks, though disappointing, highlighted the team’s tenacity. The Sabres rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period, forcing overtime and earning a valuable point in the standings.

Center Dylan Cozens encapsulated the team’s mindset:
“We don’t have any quit. We’re going to battle until the last buzzer and keep fighting until the game’s over.”

This attitude has fueled the Sabres as they contend with fierce competition in the Eastern Conference. Currently, Buffalo sits just two points shy of a wild-card spot, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Their recent performances against elite teams underscore their potential. Against the Minnesota Wild, a Western Conference powerhouse, the Sabres outshot their opponents 39-29 in a hard-fought 1-0 loss. Their offensive firepower and ability to generate opportunities are signs of a team hitting its stride.

Islanders’ Late-Game Woes Threaten to Define Their Season

In stark contrast, the New York Islanders find themselves mired in a cycle of frustration, with third-period collapses becoming an all-too-familiar theme. Friday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals marked the seventh time this season the Islanders squandered a lead in the final 20 minutes.

Despite leading 4-2 entering the third period, New York was outshot 9-3 in the final frame and overtime, a troubling trend that has contributed to their 2-4-4 record in the past 10 games. Adding to the disappointment, the Islanders failed to register a shot during a late power play on Friday, leaving fans and players alike searching for answers.

Left winger Matt Martin didn’t mince words about the team’s struggles:
“Same story. We continue to find ways to lose. It’s not good enough. We just shoot ourselves in the foot a lot and don’t take advantage of big moments.”

The Islanders are tied for last place in the Metropolitan Division with the Pittsburgh Penguins and rank near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, ahead of only the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens. With games in hand for their closest competitors, the Islanders face mounting pressure to reverse their fortunes quickly.

Contrasting Outlooks Heading Into Saturday’s Game

The upcoming matchup serves as a litmus test for both teams.

• For the Sabres: It’s an opportunity to solidify their position as a playoff contender by maintaining their offensive momentum and overcoming defensive lapses.
• For the Islanders: It’s a chance to reset and address their late-game execution issues before their season slips further out of reach.

Both teams will be navigating the fatigue of back-to-back games, a factor that could magnify each squad’s existing strengths and weaknesses. The Sabres’ ability to outshoot opponents consistently could prove decisive, while the Islanders will need to rediscover their defensive discipline to avoid another late-game collapse.

The Bigger Picture

The Sabres haven’t made the playoffs since the 2010-11 season, and their fans are eager to see the team shed one of the NHL’s longest postseason droughts. Their recent performances suggest that this year could mark a turning point, provided they sustain their momentum in the season’s second half.

On the other hand, the Islanders are at a crossroads. Despite sitting just three points out of a wild-card spot, their inability to close out games has become a defining issue. The team’s leadership and coaching staff face a critical task: instilling confidence and discipline in a group that has shown flashes of potential but remains inconsistent.

Final Thoughts

Saturday’s game represents more than just two points in the standings—it’s a clash of contrasting narratives. The Sabres will look to build on their momentum and showcase their resilience, while the Islanders must address their late-game struggles to stay in the playoff hunt.

With high stakes for both teams, fans can expect an intense battle that could shape the trajectory of the remainder of the season.